MGM Springfield is set to reopen its poker room Friday after an 18-month closure caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Doors to the poker room will open at 11 a.m. local time, and the room will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. daily.
“MGM Springfield is thrilled to reopen our Poker Room. We are looking forward to welcoming back our loyal players and dozens of employees who have waited for this day for more than a year and a half,” Chris Kelley, MGM Springfield president and COO said.
The return of the poker room should boost casino floor revenue at the southeastern Massachusetts property.
In September the casino reported $19.4m in gross gaming revenue from slots and table games, which was down 11% from August but up 10.2% year-on-year.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission prohibited poker upon the reopening of MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor in July 2020. Neither casino asked the commission to reinstate the game, according to the Patriot Lodger.
The MGC’s restrictions on poker were lifted in May 2021 but neither casino brought back the game immediately.
Encore has not indicated when or if it plans to bring back its poker room.
